Exhibition on biological soil crusts ''Interface''

Natalie Maras, 2015 Artist in Residence at the CSIRO National Research Collections Australia, will be exhibiting sketches and sculpture inspired by biological soil crusts at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The exhibition, which is Natalie’s first solo exhibition, is a timely and significant contribution in 2015, the International Year of Soils. It also coincides with the annual conference of the Australasian Systematic Botany Society ‘Building Our Botanical Capital’.

Whilst soil is not a usual subject for art, Natalie employs her characteristic combination of artistic and scientific literacy to illustrate the vital function that biological soil crusts perform for all life on earth. Natalie’s long-term dedication to the public interface of art and science will again be on display, buoyed by a recent Peoples Choice award in this year’s Queanbeyan City Council Regional Art Award.

The Interface exhibition will present 40 works, comprising a variety of 2D and 3D works. Visitors will discover shadow boxes filled with miniature sculptural scenes apparently lifted from the earth’s surface. Juxtaposed natural wood and detailed polymer clay work on glass will leave visitors guessing what is real and what is handmade.

Natalie will also present limited edition prints of her detailed drawings that capture highlights from her residency. The stories alone are worth a visit to this exhibition. Some stories are amusing, many are troubling and some remain mysterious.